May 31 / 19.20 Cartmel

19.20

Good

Champagne Louis Roederer Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5020.89
  • 2m 1f 61y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
RTV
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Champagne Louis Roederer Handicap Chase

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 23331-

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Consistent since switched to fences in the winter and opened his account at Stratford (2m3f, good to soft) last month; 5lb rise demands a bit more from him here but he'll be suited by the faster ground and ought to give another good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Line Of Descent

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

2m1f chase win off today's mark in 2023 is his contribution to the Greatrex yard's 40% strike-rate with chasers here; mostly solid efforts this year since returning from absence, and the slight rise back up in trip is a likely plus having found it all happening too quickly at Plumpton latest (cheekpieces added, retained).

11/4

2nd

3

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 5

14:17 Plumpton

Line Of Descent

11st 5lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Warren Greatrex

Scored three times over fences (at up to 2m4f) in the first half of 2023; quite lightly raced since but comes here on the back of a good third of nine in 2m5f handicap chase at Hereford 25 days ago; needs considering with cheekpieces added.

7/2

3rd

3

25th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:30 Hereford

Line Of Descent

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Three-time chase winner who is well handicapped on old form and returned from long absence with fairly encouraging run in February; only third best on merit when well-held second of five at Doncaster (2m3f, good) later that month but still considered here.

9/2

16/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: /P75-8

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Unplaced all seven starts over jumps; didn't run badly at Newcastle (2m, good) this month, after a break, but makes only limited appeal from 13lb out of the weights here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

19:45 Hexham

Kicksaftersix

11st 10lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Martin Todhunter

Three wins over C&D on good ground last season, including in this race, his mark going up 14lb as a result; won over 1m7f off his new mark here last time; up another 4lb but should again be competitive.

3/1

1st

11

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

14:30 Hexham

Kicksaftersix

10st 10lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Martin Todhunter

Won three in a row over 3m here last spring (good/good to soft); returned from an absence with encouraging sixth over hurdles at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) recently; however, he may well find today's trip inadequate.

10/1

6th

4

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 5

14:23 Carlisle

Kicksaftersix

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Martin Todhunter

In excellent form over fences last spring, winning three times at Hexham (3m, good/good to soft); can cope with drop back in trip for this first hurdling start since 2022 but has fitness to prove after 294-day layoff.

9/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 37792- D

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
No threat to easy winner when keeping on to snatch modest second on chasing debut at Market Rasen (2m1f, good to soft) last month but remains very well handicapped on some of last year's hurdling form and has since run well on the Flat; could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

7th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

15:25 Market Rasen

Well Go Again

10st 11lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Hasn't won since taking a maiden hurdle here two years ago but was running respectably over fences when last seen late last summer; couldn't dismiss him off a career-low mark.

8/1

4th

4

28th Aug 2023

Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

13:20 Cartmel

Well Go Again

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Yet to win over fences but has performed with credit in all four chases, the latest a C&D third last month; acts on all ground and chance may depend on effect of first-time cheekpieces.

13/2

Form: 1129-7 CD

Last run: 4 days

W: 11st 8lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Best known for his exploits at Ayr but also has two C&D wins on his CV; needs to bounce back quickly from a heavy defeat over 2m5f here on Saturday, though, and would appeal more on slower ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

7th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

16:40 Ayr

Ardera Cross

10st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: William Young Jnr

Multiple course scorer but this veteran chaser has been pulled up on his last three runs, including over 2m here last time; hard to warm to.

50/1

4

6th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:35 Ayr

Ardera Cross

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: William Young Jnr

led, headed 5 out, soon weakened quickly, pulled up before 4 out

25/1

4

6th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:35 Ayr

Ardera Cross

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: William Young Jnr

led, headed 5 out, soon weakened quickly, pulled up before 4 out

25/1

Form: 4215-6

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Returned from 169-day absence with satisfactory run a fortnight ago and the form of his autumn win off 2lb lower at Carlisle (2m, good) reads well; effective at this track too; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

5th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

13:00 Sedgefield

Check My Pulse

10st 3lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

towards rear

7/1

5th

9

5th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

13:00 Sedgefield

Check My Pulse

10st 3lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

towards rear

7/1

8

1st Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

13:50 Sedgefield

Check My Pulse

10st 6lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

midfield

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4P35-5 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on last summer's fairly useful form for Olly Murphy but hasn't really fired on any of three starts for new stable this year, the last twice over hurdles, and comes here with a bit to prove; raced too freely last time; hood added today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:38 Cartmel

Restandbethankful

10st 6lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Mixes chasing with hurdling and he's stuck on a losing run; last three efforts thoroughly underwhelming.

20/1

6

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 77y

Class 5

15:40 Sedgefield

Restandbethankful

11st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Course winner but it's now 16 starts since his last victory and he came in a remote fifth of seven over C&D on Boxing Day; he's not one to rely on.

9/1

8

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 5

14:45 Kelso

Restandbethankful

11st 1lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Last win was at Cartmel in August 2024 (2m1f, soft); best run since when third over same C&D in July (good); bit disappointing last twice, but no surprise if he were to run well.

12/1

Form: 321U-U

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Placed over C&D (good) last season and drew clear to win by 20l at Market Rasen (2m3f, good to soft) in the autumn; unlucky to come to grief in early stages of this month's reappearance run (over hurdles) but still has fitness to prove, and might find others better handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

21st Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 34y

Class 5

14:40 Market Rasen

Livings Boy An Co

10st 8lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: John Wainwright

held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, hit 10th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

16/1

10

10th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:00 Market Rasen

Livings Boy An Co

10st 5lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: John Wainwright

towards rear

9/1

10

10th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:00 Market Rasen

Livings Boy An Co

10st 5lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: John Wainwright

towards rear

9/1

Form: 7412-2 CD BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 12st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Returned to form with front-running win at Wetherby (1m7f, good to soft) last month and has finished second twice at Perth since (2m/2m4f); also suited by this C&D; respected in current form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Sword Of Fate

10st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Leonard Kerr

Veteran who gained four of his 14 wins here (one over C&D); ran much better than eventual 22l defeat might suggest on slower-than-ideal ground at Cartmel (2m1f good to soft) a fortnight ago; worth a second look here, even from 4lb out of the weights.

16/1

9

29th Jun 2025

Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

17:40 Cartmel

Sword Of Fate

10st 7lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Leonard Kerr

Veteran who has won 14 races in his career including three over C&D; 13lb below his last winning mark but his efforts since last autumn leave plenty to be desired.

20/1

7

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

20:10 Cartmel

Sword Of Fate

10st 12lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Leonard Kerr

Veteran with three C&D wins and seven other chase victories on his CV; lurks on a dangerous mark but has been out of form this spring (cheekpieces added last time) and the ground may turn against him today.

20/1

Form: P/P59-

Last run: 73 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish maiden who hasn't shown a great deal on her three hurdling starts for Neil Mechie this year; makes chasing debut after a recent wind op; 3lb out of the weights; not the obvious answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

9th Jun 2023

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:20 Market Rasen

Secrets De Famille

10st 4lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Neil Mechie

Unplaced in 11 career starts, the latest when tailed off on chasing debut at Cartmel nine days ago, after wind surgery; others preferred.

33/1

9th

9

31st May 2023

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

19:20 Cartmel

Secrets De Famille

10st 2lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Neil Mechie

Ex-Irish maiden who hasn't shown a great deal on her three hurdling starts for Neil Mechie this year; makes chasing debut after a recent wind op; 3lb out of the weights; not the obvious answer.

50/1

9th

9

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:45 Carlisle

Secrets De Famille

10st 4lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Neil Mechie

raced in second

33/1

Form: 4064-9 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

31st May 2023

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

19:20 Cartmel

Tico Times

11st 1lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Miss A M Slack

9th

2

16th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 5

14:15 Newcastle

Tico Times

11st 12lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Miss A M Slack

Safely held on all three outings this year but heavy ground would not have been in his favour on last two occasions; has become well handicapped and is of interest now back on a quicker surface.

12/1

4th

1

15th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:00 Newcastle

Tico Times

12st 1lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Miss A M Slack

jumped right on occasions, led, awkward jump 4th, headed 9th

10/1

Form: 223/P-

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
25-race maiden; ran big race in defeat over C&D (good) in summer 2021 but is effectively 6lb higher from out of the weights today and made low-key return from long absence last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

17th Jun 2023

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

15:45 Hexham

War At Sea

10st 10lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

held up in rear

14/1

10

31st May 2023

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

19:20 Cartmel

War At Sea

10st 2lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

25-race maiden; ran big race in defeat over C&D (good) in summer 2021 but is effectively 6lb higher from out of the weights today and made low-key return from long absence last month.

16/1

14

24th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

14:15 Hexham

War At Sea

10st 5lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

24-race maiden; had a couple of close calls in chase handicaps (2m/2m1f) in the summer of 2021 but he missed last year and has something to prove back 616 days off; best watched unless market is persuasive.

14/1

Non-runners

Tico Times

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £51.20
Straight Forecast £49.61
Tricast £161.81
Trifecta £272.90

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Line Of Descent

SPOTLIGHT:

Check My Pulse

RP RATINGS:

Sword Of Fate

The Star:

Kicksaftersix

Telegraph:

Living's Boy An Co

LAMBOURN:

Line Of Descent

The Times:

Line Of Descent

Daily Mirror:

Line Of Descent

The Sun:

Line Of Descent

Daily Record:

Line Of Descent

POSTDATA:

Check My Pulse

D Express:

Check My Pulse

The Guardian:

Sword Of Fate

Daily Mail:

Sword Of Fate